New Delhi: JD (U) chief Sharad Yadav on Monday sparked a major controversy saying that ‘Taliban-style’ diktat by Khap panchayats in Haryana is rightly defending women.

“Khap panchayats are rightly defending women,” said Sharad Yadav. However, soon after his views were aired, the JD (U) chief clarified that his remarks were taken in wrong context.

Earlier on Friday, the Supreme Court had invited 'Khap Panchayats' to hear their views before issuing any order to stop them from harassing and killing couples, particularly women in name of family honour for entering into inter-caste or intra-gotra marriages.

The controversy comes in the midst of national outrage over the brutal gang grape of a 23-year-old in Delhi.

Sharad Yadav takes a U-turn

Later taking a U-turn, JD(U) chief denied what he had said earlier challenging to produce the tape of his statement.

He also declined reacting to the recent ‘sexist’ remarks by some prominent political and religious personalities.